Why Use A Booking Agent?

A couple of years ago I decided that I want to expand my horizons and start to do more hunting out side of Alaska and eventually outside the US.
We had a family vacation planned for Disney in Florida so I figured that a Florida hog hunt would fit right in. So I started doing the research to find an outfitter. After about a week I was worn out with all the possibilities and endless number of outfitters that provide hog hunting in the area I wanted to go. And I couldn't tell the good ones from the bad ones well enough to make a decision. After some research I found a hunt booking agent on the East Coast that had a good web site and that catered to hog hunters, We emailed a couple times, I called and talked to him about the outfitters he uses, ect... And I arranged the hunt with him. Not a complicated hunt. I only wanted a couple of hogs and only had a couple of days in the middle of the family's vacation. He sent me the contract which was for 250.00 per day , 2 day minimum, and all the hogs I could shoot. (Lodging, meals, ect was on my own) And when I returned the contract to him he would put me in touch with outfitter who would fill in all the small details. I was concerned because I only had room for a couple of hogs on the airplane back to AK affordably, but he assured me that and if I shot more than I wanted that the ranch would gladly take the extra.
When he got the contract back he then gave me the contact info for the outfitter, which of course I contacted right away. During my discussion with the outfitter it turns out that the deal was really 250.00 per hog and I can hunt as many days as I want. BIG DIFFERENCE!!! I called the agent and reamed him up one side and down the other, he was very very apologetic, offered to refund my deposit, ect ect.
In the mean time, I liked what I heard from the outfitter and decided to go on the hunt anyway. It wasn't a big money hunt and I figured that the worst that could happen is I am out 500.00 and couple of vaca days.
Anyway, I went and had an absolute blast!! Killed my two hogs on the first morning, had the meat to the butcher shop and was back in Orlando with the family that night. It could not have turned out any better, and I would go back (and probebly will) again with that same outfitter anytime.
As for the Booking Agent I used, I will never, ever again in a million years use his services. And I learned that it's just as important to research the booking agent as it is the outfitters.

All that said, I still believe that booking agents have their place and serve an important service to the hunting community. I hope to book a hunt someday, somewhere with James because I think he is one of the good ones.

I am new to this forum and as one might have guessed.... looking into my first African Hunt for 2016. When i think booking agent what comes to mind is either high end $$ hunts for those who can afford the world or the other side where deals are to be had since there is enough volume produced. Being in the capital driven world of today we know that everyone is making money as they should but as an outfitter that aligns with an agent is there any negotiation on behalf of a potential client or is that the margin built in for agents? for instance say in a market like todays where the dollar is trading strongly against the rand would an agent help negotiate or is that out the door and the price is the price.
Just looking to learn and gain insight from those more experienced.

Respectfully,
M.V.

Welcome to AH,MVogel002
I dont know , ive always just talked to the outfitters
Nothing against booking agent whatsoever, just havnt used one ,yet
Will be when im looking to hunt in the states
Bloke thats a cracker chital deer in your avata

bluey said:

. . . I dont know , ive always just talked to the outfitters
Nothing against booking agent whatsoever, just havnt used one ,yet

Click to expand...

I have nothing at all against booking agents either, I've just never felt a need to use one. I generally book my hunts directly with outfitters that have a solid reputation and in many cases they've come recommended by someone I know. It's always worked out well for me. However, in this day and age I can see where building a relationship with a booking agent might not be a bad idea.

bluey said:

Welcome to AH,MVogel002
I dont know , ive always just talked to the outfitters
Nothing against booking agent whatsoever, just havnt used one ,yet
Will be when im looking to hunt in the states
Bloke thats a cracker chital deer in your avata

Click to expand...

Thanks gents, I've always done something similar just concerned with it being AF and being up shits creek when I'm back in the states with no trophies. That Chital/Axis I was able to take last month across the pond in HI and if you ever need a line on who to hunt with out there I had a great experience. Out of curiosity what are hunting and where here in the US?

I want to hunt in montana for elk at this stage
And canada
The boat floaters at the moment are elk , mountain lion , mule deer and black bear
With a antelope goat hunt aswell
Whats HI,

bluey said:

I want to hunt in montana for elk at this stage
And canada
The boat floaters at the moment are elk , mountain lion , mule deer and black bear
With a antelope goat hunt aswell
Whats HI,

Click to expand...

That sounds like an incredible trip and may take quite some time to harvest that list, it'll be a lot of fun that's for sure. Hi stands for Hawaii, the islands have a strong population of free range game animals from pigs, deer, to pheasant.

Thanks mate

MVogel002,

I saw your post and wanted to address it. Agents like myself work with all hunts, regardless if they are 3K or 30K. The commissions for the agent are built in and paid by the outfitter. Sometimes there is room for maneuvering on the hunt price. But on a budget hunt there is typically not much room as the outfitter and the agent have priced them low enough where there is little left to discount further. On big hunts obviously there is more room for a discount. But that is not always the case, sometimes there is no room to negotiate, especially on something very popular like leopard, where they know it will sell.

Almost all the time hunts are priced in US dollar or Euro and that is how the funds are transferred. Currey exchange rates are not typically worried about unless it s a big shift. I have had this question before as currencies move up or down and clients want to take advantage of the change and save some bucks, but the other side of the equation is when the fluctuation is not in our favor and the hunt can be way more than expected. The short story its easier to have things priced in currencies that are relatively stable. Some foreign currencies fluctuate wildly and daily it would be impossible to collect and wire funds while the price remains stable.

I suppose it's reasonable to use a booking agent's help going on a hunt somewhere, this is how you can be sure everything will go on like you want it to.

I've used a booking agent a couple times and also booked directly with the outfitter as well....Worked out both ways just fine. The key is using quality booking agents that represent quality outfitters or if you choose to book directly choose quality outfitters yourself. This means lots of homework...Really you can't go wrong either way as long as you remember QUALITY.

Of course things can go wrong on any hunt..but what matters is how your outfitter and/or booking agent handle it for you.

Personally I lean towards using booking agents when I'm traveling to a country or region I've never been before. They are typically able to answer questions easier..many times your outfitter is out hunting and communication can be difficult, especially in Africa